Background - We were first time big ship cruisers so we did not have anything to compare the experience to except a River Boat and they aren't even comparable! We are Americans living in Germany so are quite used to the "European" customs, trends, eating habits, etc.

Embarkation - We were unable to do the online check in. For a Saturday departure, the latest one can check in is by midnight on Thursday before. I thought it was within 24 hours before but I guess not so just beware. It did not affect the process for us though. We arrived at the Kiel train station around 1:40 and walked 10-15 minutes over to the ship. There were no lines and we buzzed right through the check in process. There are all sorts of booths in the port before getting on board that sell the drink packages, spa treatments, excursions, etc. , so it's not even really necessary to book ahead of time if you don't want to. Many staff members were lined throughout the hallways directing us where to go and how to get to our cabin.

Cabin - When we arrived on deck 14 in balcony room 14044 we were greeted with our cabin Steward and he took us in the room and showed us all we needed to know. Our information was in German (probably because we have a German last name and live in Germany!) but we needed English and from that point on it was correct! We thought the room was decent size. The bed was large (but a little worn) there was ample closet (lots of hangers) and drawer space and everything was clean. The bathroom was tight but there were two shelves on the wall and cupboards under the sink for storage. That was nice. We liked the location of the room, 4 cabins away to the door to the upper pool deck/jogging track. We didn't use the elevators, only once or twice! The complaint about this location is the noise. The constant opening and closing of the doors above and below as well as the deck 15 to deck 16 stairs being right above the room caused for great noise. There was some sort of constant rumbling below, it literally sounded like bowling balls being knocked down, and I could not figure out where it was coming from or what as the Spa was right below. If you are sensitive to noise I would not suggest this room or location. But having the balcony was fantastic for late night sunsets! Read more